Dynamic performance analysis of façade-integrated tri-functional photovoltaic/thermal solar collector

Abstract

Research on building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BiPV/T) technology has been conducted for years because the system can provide electric power and thermal energy simultaneously. A façade-integrated tri-functional PV/T collector system is presented and studied in this paper. The collector can work in PV/water-heating mode or PV/air-heating mode. Besides, it can also work in the composite mode that air and water be heated simultaneously. So optimum work mode of the collecor can be chosen for different energy demands. The collector can be combined with the southern wall of building, then it operates as PV-Trombe wall for passive room heating and electricity generation in winter, and for domestic water heating and electricity generation in other seasons. For the different working modes, theoretical research is carried out and dynamic model of the collector and building are developed. Based on the models, the performance of collector and the thermal behavior of the room are investigated under different climates conditions.